Genesis 40:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes.

NIV: and on the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters ripened into grapes.

NASB: and on the vine were three branches. And as it was budding, its blossoms came out, and its clusters produced ripe grapes.

CSB: On the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms came out and its clusters ripened into grapes.

NLT: The vine had three branches that began to bud and blossom, and soon it produced clusters of ripe grapes.

KJV: And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:

NKJV: and in the vine were three branches; it was as though it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes.

Pharaoh's former cupbearer and baker (Genesis 40:1–4), imprisoned with Joseph (Genesis 39:11–15), have both dreamed prophetic dreams on the same night (Genesis 40:5–8). Joseph, claiming that God will reveal the meaning of those dreams, has asked to hear them.

The cupbearer's dream involved a grapevine (Genesis 40:9), no surprise for someone who's profession involved wine. In his dream, the vine's three branches developed into ripe grapes extremely quickly. Modern readers might picture a time lapse video of grapes growing. The cupbearer will continue to explain how he gives the results to Pharaoh, and Joseph will explain this to be a good sign (Genesis 40:11–13).

Genesis 40:1–23 takes place during Joseph's years in a prison, or dungeon, within the house of the captain of the guard. Two men join him there for a time and experience troubling, prophetic dreams. Joseph's interpretation reveals that the former cupbearer to Pharaoh will be restored to his old job. The former baker for Pharaoh will be executed. Both interpretations are fulfilled exactly, but Joseph is soon forgotten again.

Genesis 40 describes Joseph's interpretation of dreams for two of his fellow prisoners. Pharaoh's chief cupbearer and baker are imprisoned and experience troubling, prophetic visions. Joseph reveals the meaning of those dreams and, just as he predicts, the cupbearer is restored to his position while the baker is executed. The redeemed cupbearer, despite Joseph's plea, says nothing to Pharaoh about Joseph's situation.

Joseph remains in prison after being accused of attempted rape by Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39:11–15). The Lord blesses Joseph even in jail (Genesis 39:21–23), but he longs to get out. His chance for release comes through an opportunity to interpret the dreams of two fellow prisoners. The dreams reveal that one will be restored to his old position, while the other will be killed. Joseph pleads with the servant to be restored, asking him to to plead with Pharaoh to get Joseph released, but the man fails to do so. Two years later (Genesis 41:1), another dream requires explanation, and Joseph will finally be freed (Genesis 41:12–14).

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.

Accessed 4/28/2024 3:30:41 PM